Say hello, wave goodbye: Deployments bring tears of joy, sadness

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Emotions ran high as tears of joy and relief were shed May 19 at the RAF Mildenhall Passenger Terminal, when 95 Airmen returned home from their deployment to Iraq.

As the heroes returned, they were welcomed back with open arms by their families, friends and coworkers.

After being away from their families for four months, the Airmen with young children showed their amazement at how much their sons and daughters had grown in their absence.

Emily Hendershot, 5, burst into tears when she saw her mom, Tech. Sgt. Hope Hendershot, 100th Services Squadron, walk through the doors at the passenger terminal. She was so overcome with emotion that it took a minute or so before she could give her mom the hug she was longing for.

Sergeant Hendershot was also in tears as she finally got to hold her young daughter after four months away in the desert. In a mixture of tears and laughter, the two gave each other a huge hug.

"It's so great to be back and see Emily again," said Sergeant Hendershot. "My dad watched her the whole time I was gone, and I've missed her so much."

As the returning troops walked through the doors after collecting their baggage, they were first greeted by Col. Mary Peterson, 100th Mission Support Group commander, Lt. Col. Gary Dzubilo, 100th MSG deputy commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Bulluck, 100th MSG chief enlisted manager. They each shook hands with the troops before letting them return to the arms of family and friends.

"It's always an exciting time when we gather together and welcome our folks back from a lengthy deployment.," said Chief Bulluck. "The reactions of their supervisors, co-workers, friends and most importantly, family members warm your heart."

As one door opened, for the homecoming troops, another temporarily closed as other troops - one from RAF Mildenhall, Maj. Jeff Lumm, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and approximately 68 from RAF Lakenheath - left the passenger terminal May 18, bound for deployment to southwest Asia.